Nikoloz Tskitishvili (5th overall pick in NBA Draft and native of the Republic of Georgia) has been in the United States for less than a month. Nuggets.com's Jonathan Goldstein sat down with him to pick his brain so that you can get to know "Skeeta" a little better.

ME: “Could you pronounce your name so that everyone can get it right?”
NIKOLOZ: “NEE-kol-us SKID-ish-Veel-e”

ME:“You’re from the Republic of Georgia, do you know anything about the state of Georgia here in the United States?”
NIKOLOZ: “Yeah, everybody when they ask ‘Where are you from?’ I say Georgia. They say ‘Oh yes, so you are American.’ I have to tell them not that Georgia, it’s the Georgia Republic.

ME: “This was your visit to the United States right?”
NIKOLOZ:“Yes, I came to New York on June 23rd and spent six days in New York. After the draft, the next day Marcus (Camby) and Nene (Hilario) and I came here.”

ME:“What was New York like?”
NIKOLOZ:“I knew New York from TV and movies, but seeing it in real-life was unbelievable. This is another planet, another life. For me, I prefer to live in Denver. It’s more quiet, nice trees, mountains, everything. New York is too busy. Lots of people, lots to see, lots of traffic – you’re tired in 15 minutes.”

ME: “Is basketball popular in Georgia?”
NIKOLOZ:“No. There are talented players, but there are no schools to play basketball. If you have good talent, everyone goes from Georgia to play in Europe.”

ME: “How did you learn to play basketball?”
NIKOLOZ:“I was lucky that I had a coach in Georgia like I did. He would have practice with me. All day he was with me. He was like my brother, my father, everything. I was very lucky.”

ME:“I know that people have been saying that you grew up taking ballet. Is this true?”
NIKOLOZ:“It is not ballet, there is a big difference from ballet. It is just the Georgia National Dance. It is a warrior dance. It is a very popular event in Georgia. If you were dancing the dance, you were the man. So I started at like six-years-old and I finished at twelve-years-old. You do a lot of moves that help you play basketball.”

ME: “You worked with former Nuggets coach Mike D’Antoni in Italy. What did he tell you about playing in the NBA or how to prepare?”
NIKOLOZ: “He taught me a lot. He told me about the games and about how they practice here in the NBA. Every day, every single day he did a hard practice with me. I really learned a lot from Mike D’Antoni. He’s a very good person.”

ME: “What parts of your game do you need to work on in order to excel in the NBA?”
NIKOLOZ: Everything. To play in the NBA you have to everything. For me it’s like that.”

ME:“Did you follow the NBA while growing up in Georgia?”
NIKOLOZ: “Yes. I was buying tapes and movies about Jordan and Kobe and Shaquille. I love the NBA. It was always my dream, my wish to play here.”

ME:“Who was your favorite player?”
NIKOLOZ: “My favorite player is Kevin Garnett. I love him. He is very good. Kevin and Kobe Bryant.”

ME: “Did you watch Garnett and try to play like him?”
NIKOLOZ: “I’m trying (laughs). I hope to play like him.”

ME: “What is the best thing you’ve found in America. Are there any new foods that you’ve discovered?”
NIKOLOZ: “Mexican food. I like spicy, so I’m eating Mexican food everyday.”

ME: “Do you always order the same thing?”
NIKOLOZ:“I don’t know how to say it, but they take a tortilla and they put everything inside it and roll it up.”

ME:“A fajita?”
NIKOLOZ:“No, not fajita. Another name.”

ME:“A burrito?”
NIKOLOZ:“Burrito. Yes, that’s it. Do you like it?”

ME:“Is there anything that you miss from Georgia?”
NIKOLOZ: “For me, if I’m here I don’t miss anything, just my family.”

ME:“Is anyone from your family here with you?”
NIKOLOZ:“No. I’m waiting for my family – mother and brother to get visas. I hope in a few weeks they will be here.”

ME:“How many languages do you speak? Five? Six?”
NIKOLOZ: “Wait. There’s Russian, Slovenian, Serbian, a little Italian, English and of course Georgian.”

ME: “Is there anything you would like to say to the Denver Nugget fans?”
NIKOLOZ:“I’m really happy to be here. I like the team. Everything is perfect here with the team. And of course the city is unbelievable. The people are really, really friendly and warm. It is easy to have contact with the people here. I’ve already met like ten guys here who are like friends. I hope that I will know every one of the Denver fans."